Dunkerque Carnevale

This past weekend, I went back to the far north of France to stay with my friend Rachel, so that I could experience a little of the madness that is Carnevale in Dunkerque. Every year in the months surrounding Mardi Gras, there are multiple balls, parades, and parties in Dunkerque and surrounding towns, where thousands of people don feather boas, glitter, parachute pants, full body paint, wigs, fake eyelashes, fur coats, and sequined top hats and take to the streets and dance floor. It was something I was told I must see while here in France, and it certainly was one of the silliest/funnest/weirdest things I've done since I've been here! I went up to Dunkerque on Friday, and on Saturday Rachel and I and a bunch of other assistants working in DK got dolled up and went to a ball. I kid you not, there were 1000 or more people there, all looking like they were dressed by Lady GaGa and then shot by paintball guns, and dancing their hearts out. IT. WAS. SO. FUN!

Here's a stall at the bi-weekly market selling carnevale gear :)
Me, Rachel & her roommate Kayla
A glimpse of the ball.......
I was extremely bummed that I had to leave in the early afternoon on Sunday, because later on there was a massive parade in Dunkerque center, and as I made my way to the train station I saw hundreds of dressed up people making their way to le centre ville. It was quite entertaining to see French people, reserved and dignified as ever, going about their daily business dressed in head to toe clown clothing.

On the bus:
In the train station :)
In a restaurant!! These guys were my favorite, when I passed by the window they were all leaning over their beers deep in what seemed like a very serious conversation. Had to ask for a picture :)


So, if ever you find yourself in Northern France in February/March, make SURE you head to Dunkerque.

In other news, the cold spell passed, but continued for a good couple of weeks-- here are a couple shots of the canal in Tergnier on a particularly chilly afternoon. I run on this canal 2-3 times per week.

And here's a picture from the corner where I spend a lot of my time at home, curled up in a big brown chair watching TV :) Don't know why I took it, but now you can see what I look at a lot of the time when I'm home.
I'll end with the itinerary for my next great adventure which starts TOMORROW (!!!!!!!!)
My good friend Claire Zukin flew to Europe a couple days ago and has spent a couple days in Iceland. Tomorrow afternoon I'll meet her in Paris, and after a few days there we'll head to Marseille, then to Barcelona, then to Santander (also in Spain), then to Chefchaouen, a small town in Morocco! (I can't believe my good fortune. So grateful!)

So à bientôt, and I should have loads of interesting things to write when I get back. <3